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Module 5 of 7 · 20 min

Harnesses and other PPE

Free work at height course: read the module, review with the questions and move on to the next one. At the end, a test and a PDF certificate.

Module 5 of 7 · Course contents

When it is used

Personal protective equipment is used when the risk could not be avoided or sufficiently limited by collective protection or work organisation (Royal Decree 773/1997, article 4). On site, if collective protection is not possible, safe access and anchored safety belts or equivalent means are used (Royal Decree 1627/1997, annex IV, C.3.b).

The employer

  • Decides which jobs need PPE, against which risk and which equipment (article 3.a).
  • Provides it free of charge and replaces it when necessary (article 3.c).
  • Ensures it is used and maintained correctly (article 3.d and e).

You

  • Use and look after it properly and store it in its place (article 10.a and b).
  • Report immediately any defect or damage (article 10.c).

Fall protection devices must have a suitable configuration and strength to prevent or arrest falls and, as far as possible, avoid injury (Royal Decree 2177/2004, 4.1.4).

In practiceA harness with a frayed strap or one that has already arrested a fall is not used again «until a new one arrives»: it is set aside and the supervisor is told.

Source: Real Decreto 773/1997, equipos de protección individual (personal protective equipment, in Spanish), articles 3, 4 and 10 · Real Decreto 2177/2004, trabajos temporales en altura (temporary work at height, in Spanish), annex II, point 4.1.4 · Real Decreto 1627/1997, obras de construcción (construction sites, in Spanish), annex IV, part C, point 3.b)

Quick review

Check that you've understood. These are questions from the final test: tap an answer to see whether it's right and why.

How many ropes does rope access work require as a minimum?

Can you work at height in a windstorm that endangers safety?

A section of guardrail must be removed to bring in material. What does the rule say?

Module practice test

5 new questions, different from the final test. Tap an answer to see whether it is right, why, and which rule it comes from.

1. Who decides which jobs require PPE?

2. Who replaces PPE when necessary?

3. Where is the harness left after use?

4. Besides arresting falls, what must fall protection devices do?

5. Where may collective fall protection be interrupted?

Course contents